VEHICULE MARIN AVEC PONTON INCORPORE

PONTOONED WATERCRAFT

Abrégé français

La présente invention se rapporte à une embarcation, et en particulier, à un petit bateau de pêche, de chasse et d'activité récréative semblable sur les lacs, cours d'eau et océans. Cette embarcation est pourvue d'une coque de déplacement et d'un ponton fixé à la coque. Le ponton comprend un flotteur allongé et un bras intégré au flotteur, et radial, pour se fixer à la coque. Ladite coque comporte un fond en grande partie arrondi et un plat-bord, et le ponton est fixé directement à la coque, près du plat-bord.

Abrégé anglais

The present invention relates to watercraft, and in particular to small watercraft used in fishing, hunting and similar recreation on lakes, streams and oceans. The watercraft has a displacement hull and a pontoon attached to the hull. The pontoon has an elongated float and an arm, integral with the float and radiating therefrom, for attachment to the hull. The hull has a substantially round bottom and a gunwale and the pontoon is attached directly to the hull, proximate the gunwale.

Revendications

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CLAIMS
WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:
1. A watercraft, comprising:
a) a displacement hull; and
b) a pontoon attached to the hull, wherein the pontoon has:
i) an elongated float; and
ii) an arm, integral with the float and radiating therefrom, for attachment
to the hull.
2. A watercraft as claimed in Claim 1, wherein:
a) the hull has a substantially round bottom and a gunwale; and
b) the pontoon is attached directly to the hull, proximate the gunwale.
3. A watercraft as claimed in Claim 2, wherein the arm is buoyant.
4. A watercraft as claimed in Claim 2, wherein the bottom of the float is
lower
than the bottom of the hull, whereby the watercraft rests on the float when on
land, the float raising the bottom of the hull above the land.
5. A watercraft as claimed in Claim 2, wherein the top of the arm defines a
substantially flat platform substantially level with the gunwale, whereby the
platform provides a step between the float and the gunwale for embarking on
or debarking from the watercraft.
6. A watercraft as claimed in Claim 2, wherein the continuous surfaces of the
pontoon resist snagging objects.
7. A watercraft as claimed in Claim 6, wherein the continuous surfaces of the
pontoon resist snagging water plants.
8. A watercraft as claimed in Claim 6, wherein the continuous surfaces of the
pontoon resist snagging sporting tackle.
9. A watercraft as claimed in Claim 2, further comprising second, third, and
fourth
pontoons.

-9-
10. A watercraft as claimed in Claim 9, wherein the pontoons are disposed
proximate the four corners of the hull so as not to obstruct the sides of the
watercraft amidships.

Description

CA 02503429 2005-04-O1
-1-
Michael J. Roman 604-643-3132
CDNReg#4220 / USReg#43,431 MJRC~CWilson.com
PONTOONED WATERCRAFT
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
s The present invention relates to watercraft, and in particular to small
watercraft used for fishing, hunting and similar recreation on lakes, streams
and
oceans.
2. Description of Related Art
Small watercraft, for example canoes, kayaks, scows, dories, prams,
io whaleboats, rafts, rowboats, pontoon boats and inflatable dinghies, help
sporting
enthusiasts gain access to the great outdoors. The fact that such watercraft
exist in
so many varieties is evidence of a wide variety of demands placed upon them
and
a wide variety of design criteria to be balanced.
For fishermen, hunters and others, key criteria include safe buoyancy, high
is stability, easy embarkation and debarkation, good storage space with easy
access,
low drag (including snag resistance), high maneuverability, easy
transportability,
unobstructed equipment use and a low seating position.
Not surprisingly, it is difficult optimize all of these criteria in a single
watercraft. For example, inflatable dinghies are highly buoyant and stable,
but they
2o also tend to have high drag and low maneuverability. In contrast, canoes
have low
drag and are highly maneuverable, but they are relatively unstable,
particularly
during embarkation and debarkation or when reaching over the gunwale.
Pontoon boats, which are typically simple platforms supported above the
water on a pontooned frame, have low drag and are reasonably maneuverable;
2s however, the platform carries passengers and equipment high above the
water,
Filing Date: April 1, 2005
Applicant (Assignee) Name: REILLY, Michael, Bruce.
As of 2:29 PM, Ol Apr05
D/MJR/697621.2 Our File Reference: 28646-0Ol l

CA 02503429 2005-04-O1
-2-
Michael J. Roman 604-643-3132
CDNReg#4220 / USReg#43,431 MJR(a7CWilson.com
exposing them to the elements and to view, which can be detrimental for
hunting,
for example.
Boats with displacement hulls carry passengers and equipment below water
level; however, such hulls have relatively higher drag and lower
maneuverability.
s These latter characteristics can be particularly problematic when the boat
is to be
paddled or rowed or is to be driven with a smaller outboard motor, for example
an
electric motor. Unfortunately, the lowest-drag shape for a displacement hull,
the
round bottom hull, is also the least stable and so is generally not suitable
for active
recreation.
io Thus it might be expected that none of the currently existing watercraft
either
optimizes or strikes a perfect balance between all these criteria.
Accordingly, a
watercraft that strikes a different balance would usefully satisfy a different
combination of such demands.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
is It is an object of the present invention to produce a watercraft that
provides
safe buoyancy, high stability, easy embarkation and debarkation, good storage
space with easy access, low drag (including snag resistance), high
maneuverability,
easy transportability, unobstructed equipment use and a low seating position.
According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a
2o watercraft having a displacement hull and a pontoon attached to the hull.
The
pontoon desirably has an elongated float and an arm, which is integral with
the float
and radiating therefrom and which may be buoyant, for attachment to the hull.
The
hull may have a substantially round bottom and a gunwale and the pontoon may
be
attached directly to the hull, proximate the gunwale. The continuous surfaces
of the
2s hull and the pontoon resist snagging objects, including water plants and
sporting
tackle.
Filing Date: April 1, 2005
Applicant (Assignee) Name: REILLY, Michael, Bruce.
As of 2:29 PM, O 1 Apr05
D/MJR/697621.2 Our File Reference: 28646-0011

CA 02503429 2005-04-O1
-3-
Michael J. Roman 604-643-3132
CDNReg#4220 / USReg#43,431 MJ CWilson.com
The bottom of the float may be lower than the bottom of the hull, whereby
the watercraft rests on the float when on land, the float raising the bottom
of the hull
above the land.
The top of the arm may define a substantially flat platform substantially
level
s with the gunwale, whereby the platform provides a step between the float and
the
gunwale for embarking on or debarking from the watercraft.
The watercraft may further include second, third, and fourth pontoons,
disposed proximate the four corners of the hull so as not to obstruct the
sides of the
watercraft amidships.
io Further aspects and advantages of the present invention will become
apparent upon considering the following drawings, description, and claims.
DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The invention will be more fully illustrated by the following detailed
description of non-limiting specific embodiments in conjunction with the
is accompanying drawing figures. In the figures, similar components and/or
features
may have the same reference label.
1. Brief Description of the Drawings
Figure 1 is an oblique top view of a watercraft according to one embodiment of
the present invention;
2o Figure 2 is an oblique bottom view of the watercraft of Figure 1;
Figure 3 is a top plan view of the watercraft of Figure 1;
Figure 4 is a bottom plan view of the watercraft of Figure 1;
Figure 5 is a right side elevation view of the watercraft of Figure 1;
Filing Date: April 1, 2005
Applicant (Assignee) Name: REILLY, Michael, Bruce.
As of 2:29 PM, O1 Apr05
D/MJR/697621.2 Our File Reference: 28646-0011

CA 02503429 2005-04-O1
-4-
Michael J. Roman 604-643-3132
CDNReg#4220 / USReg#43,431 MJR~CWilson.com
Figure 6 is a front elevation view of the watercraft of Figure 1;
Figure 7 is a rear elevation view of the watercraft of Figure 1.
2. Detailed Description of Specific Embodiments
(a) Structure of Specifrc Embodiments
s The structure of the invention will now be illustrated by way of explanation
of
non-limiting specific exemplary embodiments shown in the drawing figures and
described in greater detail herein.
Figures 1 through 7 show a watercraft according to one embodiment of the
present invention, generally illustrated at 10. The watercraft 10 includes a
io displacement hull 12 having a gunwale 14 and four pontoons 16 attached
directly to
the hull 12, proximate the gunwale 14. Each of the pontoons 16 includes an
elongated float 18 and an arm 20, integral with the float 18 and radiating
therefrom,
for attachment to the hull 12.
The hull 12 can be molded from glass fiber and resin or from plastic in
is accordance with known methods. The pontoons 16 can be rotationally molded
from plastic in accordance with known methods.
The pontoons 16 are disposed proximate the four comers of the hull 12 so
as not to obstruct the sides of the watercraft 10 amidships.
Each of the pontoons 16 can provide additional buoyancy to the watercraft
20 10, for example 50% of the buoyancy provided by the hull 12 itself. The
float 18
would contribute most of such buoyancy; however, the arm 20 might be made
buoyant as well. This additional buoyancy outside the gunwale 14 increases the
overall stability of the watercraft 10, such that the hull 12 may safely have
a round
bottom. In fact, the hull 12 and the pontoons 16 are all substantially
characterized
Filing Date: April 1, 2005
Applicant (Assignee) Name: RE~LLY, Michael, Bruce.
As of 2:29 PM, Ol Apr05
D/MJR/69~621.2 Our File Reference: 28646-0Ol I

CA 02503429 2005-04-O1
_5_
Michael J. Roman 604-643-3132
CDNReg#4220 _ _/ USReg#43,431 MJRCa~CWilson.com
by smooth, continuous surfaces that have low drag and resist snagging objects,
for
example water plants or sporting tackle.
As best seen in Figures 6 and 7, the bottom of each float 18 extends lower
than the bottom of the hull 12, such that the watercraft 10 can rest on the
floats 18
s when on land, the floats 18 raising the bottom of the hull 12 above the
land.
As best seen in Figures 1, 3, 6 and 7, the top of each arm 20 includes a
substantially flat platform 22 that is substantially level with the gunwale
14. The
platform 22 in effect provides a step between the float 18 and the gunwale 14
for
embarking on or debarking from the watercraft 10.
io (b) Operation of Specifrc Embodiments
In operation, a user would typically embark onto the watercraft 10 by
stepping onto the platform 22 on one of the pontoons 16, before stepping over
the
gunwale 14 and into the hull 12, perhaps via a seat or a deck, for example a
foredeck. The user would debark in the opposite way. In this manner, the hull
12
is and the pontoons 16 cooperate to hold the watercraft 10 reasonably stable
while
people embark and debark, and provide such people with reasonably stable
places
to stand during the process of embarkation and debarkation to steady
themselves,
plan their next step, and shift any load they are carrying.
In the event that the watercraft 10 is beached ashore, intentionally or
20 otherwise, it.would rest upon the pontoons 16 instead of the hull 12, thus
providing
two advantages. First, any damage wrought by the shore onto the watercraft 10
would be delivered not to the hull 12, but to one of the more easily repaired
or
replaced pontoons 16. Second, the pontoons 16 present less surface resistance
than the hull 12 when pushing the watercraft 10 from the shore.
Filing Date: April 1, 2005
Applicant (Assignee) Name: REILLY, Michael, Bruce.
As of 2:29 PM, Ol Apr05
D/MJR/697621.2 Our File Reference: 28646-0011

CA 02503429 2005-04-O1
-6-
Michael J. Roman 604-643-3132
CDNReg#4220 / USReg#43,431 MJR~CWilson.com
With the pontoons 16 providing more combined buoyancy than the hull 12
itself, the watercraft 10 has very safe buoyancy; the fact that the buoyancy
contributed by the pontoons 16 is divided among four distinct bodies provides
further safety. The hull 12 might be completely swamped and the watercraft 10
s would still float. In fact, for some endeavors, for example hunting, it is
particularly
desirable that the displacement hull 12 sit low in the water, so that the
watercraft
10, its passengers and its contents create little distraction.
The round-bottomed hull 12 provides generous and easily accessible
storage space on the inside, while presenting a smooth, low-drag outer surface
in
to combination with the pontoons 16 for quiet and easy propulsion and
maneuverability, even by paddle, oar or small electric outboard motor. These
smooth, continuous surfaces also resist snagging water plants. And in contrast
to
more conventional pontoon craft, in which pontoons extend from framework
instead
of integrating smoothly with a hull, these smooth, continuous surfaces also
resist
is snagging sporting tackle, for example fishing line.
Such unobstructed use of sporting equipment is reinforced by disposing the
pontoons 16 proximate the four corners of the hull 12 so as not to obstruct
the sides
of the watercraft 10 amidships. Thus for example, a user can cast a fishing
line
abeam the watercraft 10, reel in a fish, and haul the fish over the gunwale
14, all
2o without obstruction from the pontoons 16.
In between uses, the plastic and/or glass fiber construction render the
watercraft 10 light for easy transportation and storage.
(c) Description Summary
Thus, it will be seen from the foregoing embodiments and examples that
2s there has been described a way to make and use a watercraft that provides
safe
buoyancy, high stability, easy embarkation and debarkation, good storage space
Filing Date: April 1, 2005
Applicant (Assignee) Name: REILLY, Michael, Bruce.
As of 2:29 PM, Ol Apr05
D/MJR/697621.2 Our File Reference: 28646-0011

CA 02503429 2005-04-O1
_7_
Michael J. Roman 604-643-3132
CDNReg#4220 / USReg#43,431 MJRC~CWilson.com
with easy access, low drag (including snag resistance), high maneuverability,
easy
transportability, unobstructed equipment use and a low seating position. The
watercraft has a displacement hull and at least one pontoon attached to the
hull.
The pontoon may have an elongated float and an arm, integral with the float
and
s radiating therefrom, for attachment to the hull. The hull may have a
substantially
round bottom and a gunwale and the pontoon may be attached directly to the
hull,
proximate the gunwale.
While specific embodiments of the invention have been described and
illustrated, such embodiments should be considered illustrative of the
invention only
1o and not as limiting the invention as construed in accordance with the
accompanying
claims. It will be understood by those skilled in the art that various
changes,
modifications and substitutions can be made to the foregoing embodiments
without
departing from the principle and scope of the invention expressed in the
claims
made herein.
is While the invention has been described as having particular application for
outdoor recreation, those skilled in the art will recognize it has wider
application, for
example for transportation, search and rescue, and military applications.
Filing Date: April 1, 2005
Applicant (Assignee) Name: REILLY, Michael, Bruce.
As of 2:29 PM, O1 Apr95
D/MJR/697621.2 Our File Reference: 28646-0011

Dessin représentatif